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W.W. Grainger announces restructuring, departure of president

Published on April 06, 2004.

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Lake Forest, Ill.--W.W. Grainger Inc. announced a corporate restructuring and the departure of its president and chief operating officer, Wesley Clark.

Grainger is a $4.7 billion company that provides facilities maintenance products and services.
Clark is departing to pursue other opportunities, which were not disclosed. His duties will be assumed by James Ryan, group president of the Grainger-branded businesses in the U.S. Ryan was previously exec VP.

Under the restructuring, Grainger is organizing its operations into business units that are aligned to focus on sales and service. The largest unit, headed by Ryan, represents all of Graingerâs businesses in the U.S., including 400 branches and nine distribution centers.

Other units encompass the company's international businesses, including Grainger's Canadian and Mexican operations, and Lab Safety Supply, Grainger's direct marketing business.